Homelessness 45 years on: a crisis that won't go away

When Brighton Housing Trust was founded in 1968 as a single-house hostel on Islingword Road, the country was facing a housing crisis of emergency proportions.

Three million people were overcrowded in damp, slum-like conditions, homeless charity Shelter warned.

The desperate situation led the Labour Government of the day to clear the slums and continue the post-war house-building boom.

Yet 45 years later the crisis has been reignited by booming prices and a shortfall in affordable homes.

In the past 20 years, governments are accused of failing to invest in housing stock and the recession as created a “new breed of homelessness”.

Andy Winter, BHT chief executive for 11 years, said: “The need for our services has increased massively. One of the reasons is people are attracted to Brighton because of the city, and because of the high property prices and the drugs scene, people end up struggling. It’s the flipside of Brighton being Brighton.

Andy Winter, chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust

Andy Winter

“Another thing is the lack of affordable housing. A massive influx of people moved down whose first address is in London, and this has pushed prices up.

“Crucially there’s been a change in the way the Government invests in housing.

“In the ’70s and ’80s investment was in bricks and mortar. What shifted in the mid-80s was the subsidy went from bricks and mortar to housing benefit.

“The cost of housing has gone through the roof, but it returns no value.”

'Homelessness should be confined to history'

While support for the vulnerable and cooperation between agencies has improved, accessible housing has not, and the huge demand for BHT’s services is a cause of regret.

Mr Winter said: “At our 45th birthday, our life president said this is not a cause for celebration, as we should not be needed any more.

“Homelessness is a sign society has failed people. In a city like Brighton and Hove it should be confined to history.”

Primarily based in Brighton and Hove, the trust’s services reach out to Hastings, Eastbourne and other parts of East Sussex.

It works with some 12,000 adults every year, providing mental health and sexual health services, addiction services and legal advice and advocacy.

It employs more than 250 staff – around 50 of whom are former service users.

'Huge gains'

With NHS Trusts and A&E departments at breaking point, the trust’s drug and alcohol nurses save an estimated £250,000 a year.

Treatment for addicts with a history of homelessness reduces emergency service call-outs and A&E admissions from BHT’s Phase One Hostel.

Mr Winter said: “Without our mental health services there would need to be two extra wards and 130 beds. We save huge amounts in A&E administration in our day centre.

“Every time you prevent an ambulance being called out, you save the health service money.

“They say a heroin addict costs £15,000, including criminal justice and health. There are huge gains from all the things we do.”

The trust also reduces evictions and homelessness for problematic tenants.

A case study found 13 people were evicted 85 times before using BHT services.

But after intervention just one of these clients was made homeless.

'Risk aware'

As well as supporting people through homeless and addiction crises, its intern programme gets people back into the jobs market, sometimes after years on the margins of society.

Interns take six-month placements and gain valuable work skills to build a credible independent future.

Internships Out of 38 interns in the programme’s first year, an impressive 19 now work for BHT.

Another is now in a £50,000 a year job.

Mr Winter said: “Most employers wouldn't look at our clients, but we can work with risks, we can work in an informed way. We don’t get things wrong. We’re risk-aware rather than risk-averse.”

One recovering addict is turning his life around after getting involved in the programme.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I was addicted to heroin for three years and valium for seven years.

“I was at the detox centre for three months. I relapsed for one month, but then managed to get back into rehab.

“I was then at the Move On [BHT’s addiction pathway service] project for ten months in the end.

“I've now been clean for a year and-a-half and have got involved in an internship with BHT, talking to young people about their problems.”

Innovative solutions

Meanwhile, a novel way of dealing with the city’s homeless problem has come in the shape of shipping containers.

Richardson Yard 

The homeless village at Richardson Yard will house 36 adults in converted studio flats from Monday.

Work is ongoing to equip the homes with solar panels and green roofs, while Homebase has donated furnishings.

The innovative solution aims to give adults with a history of homelessness a step on the ladder towards independent living.

Robert Grant, 41, lost his home after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

He is one of the 36 new tenants who will move to Richardson Yard, at New England Road.

Mr Grant said: “I was in a really bad place. I moved from one dreadful hostel to another.

Robert Grant

“BHT’s Route One project has been fantastic. The staff really picked me up and they listen to your concerns.

“There’s a lot of important stuff around personal empowerment.

“I'm really pleased to moving to Richardson Yard. I really want to move back into the private rented sector.

“I'm going to use the time to save money and write poetry.”

'No room for complacency'

With up to 100 people sleeping rough in Brighton and Hove every night, BHT is needed more than over.

And while deaths on the street are a tragic waste of life, they remind staff of what an important job they do.

Mr Winter said: “It’s very sad when a client dies, but you try not to get despondent. I insist on being informed. It brings home the importance of what we do.

“Brighton would be a much worse place without us. The numbers on the street would double. We would be the drug death capital again.

“But I know we could do so much more. The question I ask is: are we doing as well as we could? Is it good enough for next year?

“There’s no room for complacency.”

'Courageous government'

Despite being a former Labour city councillor and fierce critic of coalition government policies, Mr Winter is grateful for the support of successive council administrations of all political stripes.

He said: “We’re lucky to have had council officers and politicians who have a real commitment to effectively address the issue.

“The past three administrations have kept up this incredible commitment to homelessness services when up and down the country they have been decimated.

“There’s an awful lot of disinformation out there about the benefits system, with policy informed by soundbites.

“Public opinion has hardened against the poor and people are really surprised when they hear the facts, rather than the myths of people leading a carefree life on benefits.

“In fact 92% recipients of housing benefit are in work. It is low wages and the high cost of living that is the problem.”

Mr Winter believes radical policies at a national level are needed to address the root causes of the problem.

He added: “We need courageous government that will build houses.

“Sometimes you have to borrow to get something back.

“We used to build houses but we haven’t built anything in the last ten years.”